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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend January 27, 2006 Plan would license Medford landlords City hopes new regulation will get landlords to comply with standards By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Hoping to reduce the number of dilapidated and dangerous rental units, the Medford City Council agreed Thursday to consider a plan requiring landlord registration and a $10 licensing fee for all 16,300 rentals in Medford. "Personally, I think this is an excellent idea," said Mayor Gary Wheeler, who added that he didn’t see how a $10 fee would create a hardship for someone who could afford to buy a rental property. Unable to get numerous landlords to toe the line, the city formed the Problem Properties Committee in August 2003. The committee, made up of members of the West Medford Community Coalition, the Southern Oregon Rental Owners Association and the Housing and Community Development Commission, was charged with helping to find solutions for neighborhood blight. In Thursday’s City Council study session, concern was raised over a part of the recommendation that would require a local agent for absentee landlords. "I could see that as being a hardship for somebody," Councilman Jason Anderson said. Advertisement But Glenda Owens, assistant to the city manager, said issuing citations to absentee landlords is difficult. "Once we go outside of the city limits, the code enforcement and the police department do not have authority to issue citations," she said. John Huttl, city attorney, suggested stipulating within the agreement with the absentee landlord that they can be served by mail. Anderson, also an attorney, agreed such a move was a likely solution. According to information the city compiled in 2004, half of Medford’s landlords live outside of Jackson and Josephine counties. Many do not have property managers or a local contact. Some provide the city with only a post office box or name of a trust. Currently, landlords with five or more properties pay $79 for a business license. According to the housing commission, 60 percent of the rental units are owned by landlords who rent out four or fewer units. And some of those units have problems. Problems range from substandard housing to toxic living conditions, according to Louise Dix, neighborhood resource coordinator, who made the licensing presentation to council Thursday. Dix showed photos of a rental house missing a large portion of siding and of a rental house with raw sewage pooled in the yard. She said more than 60 problem properties had been identified in 2004 and another 60 in 2005. The rental licensing program, she said, will help officials track down landlords faster and will create an accurate database of rental units. An ordinance is expected to be brought before the council within the next two months and, if approved, could go into effect this year, said Dix. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail Plan would license Medford landlords ">[email protected] . Licensing requirements Proposed landlord licensing requirements in Medford include: A rental license, $10 per rental, capped at 25 units or $250. An exterior inspection on all rentals. Rentals units in good condition would receive a "Medford Certified Rental" endorsement. The estimated $957,000 collected from the license fee would fund 1.5 to two full-time housing inspector positions. The revenue would also fund an educational campaign, including brochures and workshops to inform tenants, landlords and neighbors of responsibilities, rights and procedures. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations Casinos Canada dvd-r Generic Viagra Myspace Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Student Loans Sudoku Online Advertisement s Advertisement